If You Like Socialism, You’ll Love the VA

Cradle-to-grave care for American veterans and their families. How’s it working out?

By

Karl Zinsmeister

April 2, 2019 7:07 pm ET

Socialism is in the air—a green, wired, mindful, glossy-lipped movement that’s going to usher in free college, free health care and heavily followed Instagram accounts for all. It’s presented as new and futuristic, but there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. In one corner of Washington, socialism has been a living, breathing reality for decades. Just go visit the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Draw a military paycheck for a few years, and you’re entitled to cradle-to-grave support for you and family members. Health care at...